Service Information
Chaplain Reverend Ronald Lee Ziemer, age 77, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, formerly of Lester Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022, at his home with his spouse, Lin at his bedside after fighting a courageous and brave battle with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 24, 2022, 2:00 P.M. at Prairie Community Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota, with interment held at a later date.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M., one hour prior to the service at the church.
Military Honors will be provided by the Lester Prairie American Legion Post #463.
Memorials preferred to Ethos Home Healthcare and Hospice in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Obituary
Ronald “Ron” Lee Ziemer was born on April 28, 1945, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Clarence and Rosie (Rannow) Ziemer. Ron was baptized, confirmed, and ordained into the Christian ministry at the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Biscay, Minnesota. Ron received his education in Glencoe and graduated with the Glencoe High School class of 1963. Ron served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-1967. After completing boot camp, he was stationed aboard the USS Pritchett DD561 out of Long Beach, California. Ron also attended the University of MN and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and graduated in 1974. He attended the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and graduated in 1989. He completed his Clinical Pastoral Education from 1988-1990.
After the navy, Ron worked as comptroller at Chromalloy (Schwartz) Mfg. from 1970-1984. He was then a Chaplain for the Veteran’s Administration from 2009-2022. Ron served UCC Churches in Delano, MN, Washington State, Dickinson, ND, and Tilton, IL, from 1990-2000. He also worked as a chaplain in the above four locations, as well as in Champaign, IL, Grand Forks, ND, and Danville, IL, from 1990-2021.
On December 19, 1964, Ron was united in marriage to Rosalind “Lin” Rennells at the United Church of Christ in Lester Prairie, MN. The couple resided in California while Ron was enlisted in the Navy. Ron and Lin moved around the country following that, for Ron’s career as a chaplain, residing in Minnesota, Washington State, North Dakota, Illinois, and back to Minnesota most recently. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Faith, Chad, Paige, and Dana. Ron and Lin shared 57 years of marriage.
Ron was a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains from 2001-2022; was a Board-Certified Chaplain; was active in the Jaycees in Lester Prairie, MN from 1971-1985; and was in the Business Association in St. Peter, MN for years. Ron was very active in his home church at Lester Prairie, MN; remodeled his first home; and enjoyed rebuilding a 1945 Ford.
Ron passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022, at his home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, at the age of 77 years. Blessed be his memory.
Ron will especially be remembered for his love of veterans, working with hospice patients, and generally helping people.
Ron is survived by his:
Wife, Lin Ziemer;
Children, Chad Ziemer of Fridley, MN,
Dana Haas of Detroit Lakes, MN;
Three Adorable Granddaughters, Tahlia, Grace, and Gabrielle;
Brother, Gary Ziemer and his wife, Carmen, of Glencoe, MN;
Sister, Laurie Shoberg of Rockford, MN;
Brothers-in-law, Bernie Bullert and his wife, Gloria, of Grove City, OH and Port Charlotte, FL, Eugene Rennells of Minneapolis, MN;
Nieces & Nephews, Christopher Ziemer and his wife, Elizabeth, Jason Ziemer and his wife, Sara, Heather Lee and her husband, Chris, Caitlyn Bullert, and Kurt Bullert;
Many other relatives and many friends.
Ron is preceded in death by his infant daughters, Faith and Paige Ziemer; parents, Clarence and Rosie Ziemer; brother, Robert Ziemer; parents-in-law, Marvin and Lydia Kruschke; brother-in-law, Jim Shoberg; sister-in-law, Rosalie (Lee) Rennells Bullert.
Joel Ferren says
So sorry to hear about your loss. I worked with Ron at VA Illiana in Danville. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be greatly missed.
Lonnie Sutterfield says
Ron. I am blessed to have known and worked alongside you. I respect your commitment to family and fellow Veterans. I hope God allows me the opportunity to serve others as you did. Well done! Lin, thank you for loving and caring for Ron these past 57 years.
Blessings,
Lonnie Sutterfield
Chief, Chaplain Service
VA Illiana Heath Care System
Danville, IL
Bill McGowan says
Lin, I read about Ron’s passing in the Hutch Leader. Even though we moved to Tucson, AZ in 2003, we still try to keep up with some of the people in the Lester Prairie and Hutchinson area.
I did not know about Ron’s extensive work as a chaplain. It sounds like he was a very important part of many people’s lives. I want to thank you and Ron for your friendship and support during the time Ron and I worked together at Shwartz Mfg. It seems impossible that time was about 50 years ago.
May the Lord bless you and your family.
Vera Duncanson says
Lin,
So very sorry to hear about Ron’s death. He was a steadfast and compassionate member of the Pastoral Care team in Danville. I enjoyed working with him, and seeing you from time to time at gatherings. At a tense department meeting, Ron’s smile would make me happy.
Peace and blessings,
Vera Duncanson
Arla Huset says
Lin we were so sorry to hear of. Ron’s passing. Also we will not be able to come to the funeral but please know we are thinking of you and your family at this sad time. Will never forget all the good times we had years ago in Lester Prairie! Deepest sympathy to you from Dave and Arla Huset.
Jerome Kooiker says
I have been blessed to have known Ron for over forty years. I admired his quiet and calm approach to his work, family and friends. Despite his physical limitations he was not one to complain.